N.T.S.B. says Cessna had multiple instrument problems before Greg Biffle crash

According to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board, the Cessna C550 that crashed near Statesville, N.C., on Dec. 18 experienced a series of instrument failures in the minutes after takeoff, and the successive problems appeared to overwhelm the pilots. The crash killed former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, 55; his wife, Cristina; their daughter, Emma, 14; their son, Ryder, 5; and three others.

The report said problems began before takeoff while taxiing: the thrust reverser indicator light for one engine did not work even though the engine was operating, and Mr. Biffle remarked that the left engine appeared to be producing more power than the right. About four minutes into the flight the autopilot disengaged, the cockpit voice recorder audio became unintelligible and a GPS navigation device stopped recording key data, the report said.

Mr. Dutton — identified as Dennis Dutton — reported that his altitude indicator and possibly other left-side instruments were malfunctioning and transferred control to his adult son, Jack, as they attempted to circle back toward the airport. The report said the crash occurred about 11 minutes after takeoff amid a heavy drizzle and little wind.

In the final minutes the elder Mr. Dutton asked for the landing gear to be lowered but the gear indicator lights never illuminated. About a minute and a half before impact the younger Mr. Dutton said on an airport radio frequency, "we're having some issues here," and Mr.

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